2021 First Glance Preview: Week Nine (Maryland Terrapins)

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Week 9 Maryland Terrapins

Date & Time: Saturday, October 30, 2021, Time: 12pm .

Venue: Capital One Field, College Park, Maryland

TV: TBD

Terrapins at a glance

Head Coach: Mike Locksley

Entering his third year as Maryland’s head coach, Overall Record: 5-12

Last Season, 2-3 (2-3) fourth in Big Ten East.

Terrapins’ Returning Leaders

Passing: Taulia Tagovailoa (75-122  passing(61.5%), 1,011 yards, 7 TDs, 7 INTs)

Rushing: Tayon Fleet-Davis (10 rushes, 26 yards, 2.6 YPCs, 0 TDs)

Receiving: Dontay Demus Jr. (24 receptions, 365 yards, 0 TDs)

Tackles: Nick Cross ( 23 tackles, 14 solo)

Terrapins Preseason Predictions

Athlon: 5th in Big Ten East

Phil Steele: 6th in Big Ten East

Impact Newcomers for the Terrapins

-Offensive Coordinator Dan Enos (came over from Cincinnati)

-LB Demeioun Robinson (four-star recruit)

-LB Terrence Lewis (five-star recruit)

Biggest Questions facing the 2021 Terrapins

  • Can Tagovailoa stay healthy and make a jump during his second season?

  • What will the offense look like under new offensive coordinator Dan Enos?

  • How will Locksley plug in new and old pieces to improve the defense?

Program Preview

Third-year head coach Mike Locksley brought in another stellar recruiting class for the Terrapins this offseason to try and continue the rebuilding process. Locksley also brought in a new offensive coordinator in Dan Enos who came over from Cincinnati. Brian Stewart begins his second season with the Terrapins defense as well. Another small, but big move for the Terrapins was bringing in Brian Baswell, a former NFL assistant coach to lead the offensive line. The Terrapins had a disappointing 2-3 year last year that was riddled with covid throughout the team. Maryland has lots of talent that can pair well with the veteran coaching, Maryland may be able to break out of its shell this year.

Offensive Preview

With offensive guru Dan Enos now leading the charge for the Terrapins, there is a strong chance for their offense to take a big leap in the 2021 season. Taulia Tagovailoa is back for his junior year season. Last season Tagovailoa was third in the Big Ten with 252.8 passing yards per game and was third in completion percentage, completing 61.5% of his passes. The two best offensive games for the Terrapins last season were against Minnesota and Penn State where they put up 45 and 35 points in back to back games.

Enos will also look to involve more play-action as well as screen passes into the Terrapins’ playbook. Enos has a lot of skill players to choose from in order to help the team. This includes Dontay Demus Jr. who already has 10 receiving touchdowns. Rakim Jarrett also stood out last season during his freshman year. He was the first freshman Maryland receiver to record over 100 yards and two scores in a game since Stefon Diggs.

Senior running back Tayon Fleet-Davis is a swiss army knife out of the backfield for the Terrapins with his running,catching and blocking ability. He will be running behind a veteran offensive line that returns a lot of key pieces.

Defensive Preview

The defensive side of the ball was a big question going into the off season but second year defensive coordinator Brian Stewart has lots of talent on that side of the ball to plug in this season. The Terrapins return six starters from last season which is a huge help. Last season the Terrapins let up 32 points and 430 yards per game. They also had the second worst rush defense in the Big Ten, letting up 230 yards per game. 

The secondary is the strongest part of the Terrapins defense, last season the Terrapins only allowed six passing touchdowns as well as allowing only 200 passing yards per game. All-Big Ten honorable mention safety Nick Cross returns as the ball hawk for the Terrapins. Cross is always around the ball making big plays. Jordan Mosley and Osita Smith look to battle for the other safety position. At cornerback, the Terrapins have a load of rangy players, including Tarheeb Still who was all-conference during his true freshman year. There is also Deonte Banks, Jakorian Bennett, and Lavonte Gater.

The front seven is one of the biggest questions facing Locksley in his third year as head coach. However, the pass rush should be improved this year with the return of Durell Nchami. There should also be help from the transfers from last year which includes, Mosiah Nasili-Kite, Ami Finau and Joseph Boletepeli. In addition, the Terrapins need help from their edge rushers, and Stewart is counting on players such as Fa’Najae Gotay and Ruben Hypolite II. The Terrapins also brought in a couple big recruits including four-star Demeioun Robinson as well as five-star Terrence Lewis.

Special Teams Preview

Joseph Petrino, the team's kicker from last season returns this year after not missing a single PAT last year and going 4 for 7 on field goals including a 51 yarder. Anthony Pecorella and Colton Spangler are both returning punters for Locksley. Maryland was last in punt returners and second to last in kick returns so the Terrapins have a lot of work to do in that aspect of the game.